General Discussion

Peregrine Took

(7,556 posts) Wed Jun 19, 2024, 01:54 PM Jun 2024

When talk show callers aren't prepared to speak and start up with the "umms and ahhh's" it drives me crazy.

I listen to talk radio when I'm doing housework, on the net, etc and find out a lot of information which I love but when callers are "up" and they freeze and don't know how to make their points succinctly it is annoying and cringe worthy, too. I'm both embarrassed for them and I, can just sense the aggravation of the host who knows he or she has a bunch of callers waiting. Also the "how are you? I'm fine How are you?" could be easily dispensed of by the phone screener - :don't ask them - they are fine!"

As Art Bell used to say - if you want to call up, write down your question or topic(s) first so you don't get nervous and forget them and be as brief as possible to make room for other callers who are waiting.

7 replies

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When talk show callers aren't prepared to speak and start up with the "umms and ahhh's" it drives me crazy. (Original Post) Peregrine Took Jun 2024 OP

bingo Tetrachloride Jun 2024 #1

If you want to be driven even crazier, Disaffected Jun 2024 #2

Find the book " Like, Literally, Dude: Arguing for the Good in Bad English" Grins Jun 2024 #3

And don't start off with "Thank you for taking my call." It's a waste of time. Liberal In Texas Jun 2024 #4

Yes, the Hey, how ya doing got old 30 years ago. Boomerproud Jun 2024 #6

It's like dealing with Colombians JoseBalow Jun 2024 #5

Or, the sit there and crack up for 45 seconds. Diamond_Dog Jun 2024 #7

Tetrachloride

(8,553 posts)

1. bingo

Reply to Peregrine Took (Original post)

Wed Jun 19, 2024, 02:06 PM

Jun 2024

Disaffected

(5,322 posts)

2. If you want to be driven even crazier,

Reply to Peregrine Took (Original post)

Wed Jun 19, 2024, 02:10 PM

Jun 2024

listen a while to the callers (the mainly Republican and Independent) on C-SPAN's Washington Journal. And, some of the Republican "guests" e.g. the Republican propaganda flack they had on this morning (named Shawn something).

In doing so, you might conclude, and not wrongfully so, that half the country has lost its mind.

Grins

(8,011 posts)

3. Find the book " Like, Literally, Dude: Arguing for the Good in Bad English"

Reply to Disaffected (Reply #2)

Wed Jun 19, 2024, 04:31 PM

Jun 2024

Author: Valerie Fridland.

She was interviewed on PBS in late 2023 and this topic came up. I bought the book.

Not as bad as you think.

But you are right that it is best to write down what you are going to say BEFORE placing call.

Liberal In Texas

(14,826 posts)

4. And don't start off with "Thank you for taking my call." It's a waste of time.

Reply to Peregrine Took (Original post)

Wed Jun 19, 2024, 04:42 PM

Jun 2024

You are actually doing the host a favor by calling. It fills the time for his/her show. They should be thanking you for calling and giving them free content.

"First time caller, long time listener." Frankly I don't care. Get on with your topic.

Also a waste of time is, "How are you?" If you've actually been listening you would have heard the host answer that question about a dozen times so far.

There are others that drive me crazy. I was going to write a whole post on the topic of radio show calling but haven't gotten around to it.